Council approves budget, fee hikes

MURRIETA - The City Council Tuesday approved its 2006-07 budget,
which takes effect July 1.

The budget includes a $38.2 million operating budget, which pays
employee salaries and daily expenses, and a $127.8 million capital
budget, which pays for one-time costs for projects such as road
improvements and city buildings.

The council also agreed to increase city fees, rates and charges
to keep up with the increasing cost of doing business.

Fees for everything from building permits, code enforcement
actions, copying documents and pet licensing went up in varying
increments, depending on the cost of services from that department,
Deputy City Manager Teri Ferro said.

The city considers fee increases annually, when it approves its
budget.